Lysosomal zinc nanomodulation blocks macrophage pyroptosis for counteracting atherosclerosis progression

Abstract

Macrophage pyroptosis has been identified as a critical pathological mechanism in inflammation-related atherosclerosis (AS). In this work, we have demonstrated that Zn²⁺ features the strongest anti-inflammatory performance by screening 10 representative metal ions, and the MTC1 agonists can trigger lysosomal Zn²⁺ release and inhibit pyroptosis in macrophages. Based on these findings, we further engineered a mucolipin TRP channel 1 (MTC1)–related therapeutic nanoplatform for endogenously triggering lysosomal zinc release to curb inflammation and block macrophage pyroptosis. This nanoplatform consists of mesoporous silica nanoparticles to deliver MTC1 agonists and carbon nanodots, which could synergistically exert antiatherosclerotic effect by scavenging toxic reactive oxygen species, inhibiting macrophage pyroptosis, modulating macrophage transition, and rebuilding atherosclerotic immune microenvironment. These findings demonstrate that macrophage pyroptosis can be efficiently blocked via leveraging self-lysosomal zinc pool, which provides the paradigm of lysosomal zinc modulation-involved nanotherapeutics for managing other inflammatory diseases.